10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 7
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 54,094 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked for an hour when he discovered that the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire and there were no injuries. The contact called the dealer and was advised that the cruise control deactivation switch was replaced due to a recall in 2011, which could have been associated with the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
- Brook Haven, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact was driving 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly stopped moving forward. There were no prior warnings. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that a gear in the transmission needed to be replaced; the part had been re-engineered as it was defective. The vehicle was repaired. The current and failure mileages were approximately 72,000. The cruise control module and wheel bearings had to be replaced. Updated 05/23/11
- Grand Rapids , MI, USA
I have a faulty switch on my brake master cylinder- and my car was not part of the recall Ford issued with the same problem to it's other vehicles. This problem is linked to the cruise control and causes the brake fluid to leak possibly causing a fire.
- St James, NY, USA
Before we bought the van we noticed the brake light was on and the cruise control didn't work we asked the car dealer about it he was very vague (surprise) said the brake was a sensor thing in the emergency brake wiggle it and it would go away plus the cc was probable a fuse thing. So we bought it anyways (we really needed it) then the ABS light kept coming in we got new brakes th at helped for about a day then everything started to light up again we took it for inspection ask about cc for an upcoming trip mechanic said it was a leaking brake line and would order the part. He put on the new part and said to check about a recall so I got on the internet and found information about the fire hazard and then was led here to report what had happened with ours.
- Waynesboro, PA, USA
Cruise control deactivation switch is leaking brake fluid, which caused a fuse to blow resulting in lose of some speedometer, mileage, and heating/cooling system. This has been checked out, evaluated, and documented by a certified mechanic. The mechanic has since disconnected the cruise control.
- Silverdale, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. When the vehicle was purchased, all the door locks operated properly. However, at 60,000 miles, the doors do not lock and cannot be opened from the passenger compartment. In addition, the interior lights fail to illuminate when the doors are opened. Furthermore, the cruise control cannot be deactivated unless the brake pedal is depressed. The failure mileage was 60,000.
- Dearborn, MI, USA
The vehicle caught fire 4 hours after it had been parked. The fire originated under the hood on the driver's side. The vehicle is a total loss and has cost my family a substantial amount of time and money with no resolution from my insurance company.
- Albemarle, NC, USA
Have had constant problems with my 2000 Ford Windstar since 40,000 miles. Have already done the overhaul for the check engine light and the ABS light still comes on and off daily for the last 3 years. Replaced the cruise control activation switch 2 years ago, but I guess the leaking fluids have destroyed my ECU. Also have cleaned and checked all wheel sensors which has not helped at all. I used to be a Ford man, but after these problems and $$$ spend, I'm very cautious of Ford now!
- Dundalk, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. While driving 50 mph, the cruise control would not engage. The dealer stated that brake fluid leaked into the wiring harness and cruise control module, which caused a short. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The current and failure mileages were 113,000.
- Moscow, ID, USA
TL-the contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact has taken the vehicle to a mechanic where the mechanic stated that his speed control switch is burned out. There is a recall out on this issue but not on his VIN. The current mileage was 17,000 and failure mileage was 13,000.
- Huntington Station, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Ford Windstar. The contact stated that the cruise control stopped working approximately one month ago. She took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that the cause of failure was due to brake fluid leaking from the switch that goes into the master cylinder. The contact was informed that a fire could have occurred. The current and failure mileages were 101,000.
- Bay City, MI, USA
My wife was driving our 2000 Ford Windstar van home when she noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Soon after seeing the smoke, she saw fire. She quickly pulled the vehicle into a parking lot, got our 2 kids ( age 5 and 7 ) out of the vehicle. She then asked for assistance from a business. They proceeded to put the fire out. I had the car towed to a local Ford dealer. It was there that the service manager informed us that the fire was caused by the same faulty part that is currently under recall in the F-150's and other Ford products. I was told it is the same replacement part and the repair procedure for the burnt wiring is a Ford authorized repair. I have contacted Ford and they informed me there is not cause for alarm or concern with the Windstar. They also informed me that only the NHTSA can issue a recall. Ford did not offer any help with our expenses that we incurred due to this faulty cruise control cutoff switch located on the master cylinder. We are very lucky that no one was hurt in this incident. I just hope and pray that no one else has to go through this terrifying ordeal.
- Easley, SC, USA
The contact stated the interior lights, power windows, radio, and heater would stay on after the ignition was turned off and the key is removed. The fuse has to be removed every time the vehicle is turned off. He found recall 00V351000 on line concerning this problem. When he contacted the dealer, they said that this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN. Also there was a problem with the cruise control. The off switch for cruise control did not work. The cruise control could only be turned off by applying the brakes.
- Lorain, OH, USA
Consumer Ford Windstar 2000 cruise control switch failed. The switch install in the consumer's vehicle was not covered under Ford's recent recall of 3.2 million vehicles. The consumer had to pay to have the faulty switch replaced. The consumer request reimbursement from the manufacturer.
- Kingwood, TX, USA
Brake fluid leaked into the speed control switch and caused erosion on my 2000 Ford Windstar van. Other vehicles such as the Ford 150 and Explorer are currently under recall for this same problem. My van has had the speed control switch replaced on 10/13/05. I believe Ford needs to recall the Windstar vans for this same problem or there will be vehicle fires on these vans as well.
- Wake Forest, NC, USA
A recall regarding vehicle speed control: Cruise control deactivation switch was issued. The consumer contacted Ford and they said that the consumer's vehicle had the same switch that had caught on fire in the other Ford vehicles however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. At the present time the consumer's vehicle has not yet caught on fire. The consumer had contacted Ford on September 7, 2005.
- Rutledge , TN, USA
The contact owns a 2000 Windstar. The speed control deactivation pressure switch for the cruise control was leaking brake fluid into the electrical system, shorting out other electrical components and blowing fuses. The fuse blew out last on August 19, 2005. On 8-22-05 noticed the leak. Called Ford motor, and they told him this car was not included in the recall. The consumer investigated this himself and determined this was the problem. His brother-in-law who is a certified mechanic for GMC a looked at the vehicle and verified that was the problem. The pressure switch and fuse were replaced. This restored operation to the cruise control, odometer, speedometer, clutch and A/C. the antilock warning light also went out.
- Hopkinsville, KY, USA
Contact stated while driving 2000 Ford Windstar applied the brakes, but instead of stopping, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Consumer did deactivate the cruise control switch because of the ongoing investigation with the Ford cruise control switches. The consumer did bleed the brakes, but this did not remedy the problem. The consumer stated the plastic film on the cruise control switch caused the brake fluid to start coming out of the deactivated switch on the master cylinder. The service dealer stated there was no recall on this component. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, they said they would look into the matter, and they were cooperating with the NHTSA regarding this issue.
- Orlando, FL, USA
The consumer stated 2000 Ford Windstar was having multiple problems. The fuses blew out, the lights were blinking on and off, and the odometer/speedometer werenot working. The mechanic that looked at the car suggested that it may be an electrical problem. While driving the lights wereblinking on and off. Consistently, kept the dashboard not illuminated. They have even tried to leave the air off to see if this would help the fuses not to blow out. There were lights on the dashboard that when lit up wthe fuse blew out.. the ABS light came on when the fuse blew out. The rear defroster didn't work nor did the rear air vents. This was not a safety condition for the owner to be traveling with child who has major health issues. The owner has not taken the van to the dealership because she could not afford the cost of labor and service charges. The owner has had a small problem contacting the Ford manufacturer, but that was now resolved. She was planning on contacting them today. The driver's side door will not lock or unlock with the remote. The cruise control was not working.
- St Louis, MO, USA
- Nevada, MO, USA